[Draft 3-21-2025 – teaser]
Owl & rabbit – a 21st century fable
(a matter of fidelity)
Part 1
For a village with little complaint, the night was sprinkled with screams. Those nights. These were not timbres of terror. These were shouts at someone, shrieks about one’s situation.
The unrest reached the nearby forest, to the ears of a particular animal, attentive to nightly things. An owl, Dr. Nolan, for whom those sounds signaled “I’m not going to take it anymore!” With an undertone of banging doors, rending of hearts. Would there be more business at his door, “Wise Wellness Therapy” …
Yet … those days … the animals were a scene of industry, of busy purpose, aspiring agency.
And in the day, another animal, a rabbit, was attentive to that scene. Rising from his deep burrow, sheltered from the nights, he only felt hints, fading dreamlike haunts, that something was amiss. And business was brisk at Dr. Larry’s “Cuddly Bunny Counseling” office.
While both doctors were great listeners, their conversations with clients were different. Both had a bump in their business. Nolan maybe 20%. Larry around 75%.
Nolan’s favorable trend didn’t last for long. One day, after a session, the client said, “You’ve been helpful, but my wife’s been seeing another therapist, and I’m going to join her.” Nolan wished the client well.
Another day, the same thing happened. Another client said, “I’m going to try someone else for a while.”
So, late one day, after removing his white coat and spectacles, Dr. Nolan gazed out the window at the nearby fields. Musing. He said to himself, “Well, maybe it’s time for another approach, a better way to conduct business.”
Almost as if on cue, there was a knock at the door. When Nolan opened the door and looked outside, no one was there; but he heard a trill and looked down. There was small package, addressed to him. He started to examine it, but it abruptly disappeared, replaced by a small ornate rock.
Nolan heard “Please touch me.” A talking rock! He did so. The same voice then said, “Identity confirmed. Greetings, you have been sent a promotional offer. Would you like to hear it?”
He said, “Okay.”
“Hello, my name is Celeste, Sorceress for Success, and a member of the board of the Boost Your Business Association (BYBA). Our data analysis team indicated that my services might be of help – to get your business growing. I’m offering a free consultation, an offer which expires in 24 hours. Just say ‘accept’ to the rock for more information; otherwise, say ‘later.’ If you decide to accept later, just say ‘tell me more’ to continue. … or say ‘repeat’ to start over.”
Well, Dr. Nolan was not someone to be rushed … “later.” He put the rock on his desk and went about his nightly routines.
The next day, however, another client canceled. He picked up the rock, and spoke the prompt. He heard, “Excellent, the next step is to visit the FancyStone. For directions, just say, “tell me how to get there.”
So, Nolan did so, and flew off carrying the rock. Shortly afterwards, while approaching a clearing in the forest, he heard, “You’ve arrived at your destination.” He noticed a large, ancient stone at the edge of a meadow and landed. He walked up to the stone. A resonant voice said, “One moment, please. Celeste has been notified.”
Nearby at the side of the meadow, a charming cottage shimmered into view. After a minute or so, an attractive, colorfully dressed woman waived from its porch, beckoning him to visit.
As he approached, Celeste’s “calling card” – the small ornate rock – disappeared.
…
As he flew home, Nolan felt hopeful. It was several hours later in the day, but his memory of the visit was hazy. Like a fading dream. Celeste had … had understood his situation, helped him see what could be, and crafted an agreement.
He felt a tingle where he’d touched the FancyStone, evidently the last thing he’d done – to seal the deal. And there was something else. He wore an amulet. Like a souvenir, perhaps.
…
Meanwhile, Larry had a different challenge. Too much business.
Part 2
Larry’s zest for counseling waned. The days too long, clients’ stories jumbled together. One day, he almost screamed: “I always feel I’m running late! And just saying more, asking less. I tune in to clients’ hopes too late, too late, too late!”
Larry also wound up being contacted by Celeste. He had a similar visit to the FancyStone and consultation with Celeste. There was a deal. She had … had promised help was on the way. Otherwise, his recollection was equally hazy. Also an amulet. With a twist. There were several hairless scrapes on his head.
But what Larry did recall clearly was the next morning. He needed to wear sunglasses that day, even inside his office.
His waiting room was awash with clients. And a litter of lookalikes. Fair facsimiles of himself, with similar shades of clothes and colored nametags. Dr. A-Larry, B-Larry, C-Larry, … Employees!? All looked ready to help. A-Larry looked like he was scheduling appointments.
Each of the new Larrys stood in front of a door – evidently there now was a suite of counseling areas! Each beckoned to a client. His door looked the same, at least. But where did he fit in?